Archive for the ‘Film festival’ tag

The event poster, designed by Camilo Pardo. Images courtesy AutoMoto International Film & Arts Festival.

For the past two years, the AutoMoto International Film & Arts Festival has been one of the many events taking place during August’s Car Week on California’s Monterey Peninsula. This year, the festival is branching out – in addition to its regular appearance in Monterey, AutoMoto will be making a stop in Detroit, Michigan, on May 28-30, coinciding with the Belle Isle Grand Prix.

The film and arts festival will span three nights (counting Thursday’s opening night VIP screening), with all events taking place in midtown Detroit, primarily at the Fillmore Detroit, the Madison Theater Building and Cinema Detroit. Movie offerings include both feature length films and shorts, and a few offerings (namely Greasy Hands Preachers and Why We Ride) are geared specifically towards motorcyclists. Friday and Saturday night events include panel discussions and meet-and-greets, and there’s even an art exhibit curated by Ford GT designer Camilo Pardo.

Friday feature films.

As for the feature films to be shown, Friday night’s selection will be screened at the Fillmore Detroit and includes Urban Outlaw, a documentary on Porsche 911 hot-rodder Magnus Walker; a preview of Camilo Pardo’s upcoming movie, Fuel Injected, and a screening of Havana Motor Club, which tells the story of the underground (and now above-ground) street racing scene in Cuba. Magnus and Camilo will appear in a panel discussion following the showing of their films, as will the director and producer of Havana Motor Club following its Detroit debut.

Saturday’s feature films will be shown on two screens at Cinema Detroit and include 1, which tells the story of Formula 1’s evolution from blood sport to big business; Going Attractions, which narrates the decline of the drive-in movie theater; Wagoneers, the story of one fan’s quest to save the Jeep Grand Wagoneer from extinction; Vannin’, a look at the custom van lifestyle (and many of its subgenres); and Why We Ride, a film that explores the reasons why motorcycles are so compelling. An interview with director April Wright and author Karen Dybis will follow the screening of Going Attractions.

Saturday feature films.

A plethora of short films will be shown on both Friday and Saturday, giving attendees a good chance to see everything of interest to them. Hosting the festivities will be Dennis Pittsenbarger, a racer, restorer and self-proclaimed “car dork” who hosts the Discovery Channel show, Highway to Sell.

Ticket options include both weekend passes and single screenings; for more details, or to see a compete lest of the weekend’s events, visit AMFilmFest.com.

The enthusiastic participation of motorcyclists and independent movie fans made last year’s inaugural Motorcycle Film Festival a rousing success, so much so that organizers Corinna Mantlo and Jack Drury have announced a second annual Motorcycle Film Festival, scheduled for September 24-27 at the Saint Vitus Bar in the Bronx the Gutter on North 14th Street in Williamsburg.

Independent film judging will again be handled by a distinguished panel, including five three judges returning from last year: JP from The Selvedge Yard, Paul D’Orleans from The Vintagent and Oily Rag, and Stacie B. London from East Side Moto Babes, and co-founders Corinna Mantlo and Jack Drury.

New judges added to this year’s festival include motorcycle designers and builders Roland Sands, Paul Cox and Shinya Kimura. The panel will be comprised of 14 judges in total, including filmmakers, writers, museum curators and motorcycle riding enthusiasts, and will be asked to screen new motorcycle-related independent films to select winners in several categories.

Last year’s winners were Why We Ride for Best Feature Documentary, White Knucklefor People’s Choice, The Build for Best Short Film and The Best Bar in America for Best Feature Narrative and overall Best of Festival.

VIP All-Access Tickets to the event will admit attendees into 10 movie screenings and grant entrance to all art shows, talks and MFF-related events. Passes are available on the MFF website for $65.00 and include other exclusive VIP goodies such as preferred seating at screenings; a pre-party with the organizers, sponsors and judges; a discount on MFF-related gear for sale on the website; and a custom swag bag. Day-of-admission pricing for individual events would total in the neighborhood of $100.00, so the VIP pass is the frugal way to go for those planning in advance.

Motorcycles of all shapes, sizes, brands and vintages are encouraged to participate and will be the preferred mode of transportation to get there, and ample bike parking will be available for attendees. More information is available on the MFF website, where you can see videos of last year’s winners; you can also join the MFF’s Facebook page for further updates.